El conflicto del S¨¢hara
Cable sobre la visita a Marruecos de Zapatero
El consejero pol¨ªtico de la Embajada, Craig Karp, analiza la audiencia del presidente espa?ol con el rey Mohamed VI el 22 de julio de 2008
| ID: | 163092 |
| Date: | 2008-07-22 17:20:00 |
| Origin: | 08RABAT681 |
| Source: | Embassy Rabat |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Dunno: | 07RABAT1706 |
| Destination: | VZCZCXRO3552 RR RUEHLA DE RUEHRB #0681/01 2041720 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 221720Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8875 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 4840 RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 1218 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3642 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 6014 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 3778 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 5072 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 9670 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 0005 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 4208 |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 000681 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018 TAGS: PREL, KMIG, SP, MO SUBJECT: ZAPATERO FINALLY MEETS WITH KING:GOOD FRIENDS REF: 07 RABAT 1706 Classified By: PolCouns Craig Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1. (C) Summary: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero met with King Mohammad VI on July 11. The purpose of the meeting was to reinforce the strong relations that already exist between the two countries, primarily highlighting cooperation in the areas of economics, security, and immigration. Zapatero also met Moroccan Prime Minister El Fassi followed by a meeting with the press. Publicly, the two parties never mentioned the Ceuta and Melilla controversy that sparked widespread demonstrations last year. However, they reportedly addressed the issue privately, assuring each other that it would not obstruct relations. The two neighbors will re-invigorate their bilateral cooperation with a round of ministerial visits leading up to a meeting of the Bi-National Commission in Madrid chaired jointly in November by Prime Ministers El Fassi and Zapatero. End Summary. STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF OUJDA 2. (U) Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero met with King Mohammad VI on July 11 in the city of Oujda. Oujda is located in the northeastern corner of Morocco, not far from the Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla. The locale underscored the absence of rhetoric over the issue. This was Zapatero,s fourth official visit to Morocco and the first since his re-election victory in March of this year. Some Moroccan/Spanish experts claim that the King strategically selected Oujda as the venue of his meeting with Zapatero because the King wanted the Spanish president to speak out in favor of re-opening the nearby border with Algeria, 9 miles away. During the visit; however, Zapatero did not make any official comments related to the Algerian/ Moroccan border dispute. GOOD RELATIONS 3. (U) Zapatero and Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi held a joint Press Conference following the meeting between the King and Zapatero. The Spanish Prime Minister stated that the relations between Morocco and Spain are good and will always be good. Zapatero highlighted the importance of strong regional security cooperation. 4. (U) Zapatero focused on three key areas of concern: economics, security, and immigration. He spoke positively about the 500,000 Moroccans currently living in Spain and contributing to the economic and social development of both countries. He stated that Morocco is a prime destination for Spanish investors where 600 Spanish businesses currently operate. Trade between the two kingdoms is estimated to be close to $8 billion US dollars. Spain is Morocco's second largest economic partner after France. 5. (U) On the subject of immigration, Zapatero acknowledged the Moroccan and Spanish joint efforts to decrease the number of illegal immigrants coming into Europe from Africa. Prime Minister Zapatero noted the recent Government of Spain initiative to regularize thousands of Moroccan immigrants currently living in Spain. Zapatero complimented Government of Morocco's (GOM) treatment of immigrants stating that Morocco is not a country that exports immigrants but a country that welcomes thousands of Sub-Saharan immigrants, treating them with dignity and respect. NO MENTION OF CEUTA OR MELILLA 6. (U) Neither El Fassi nor Zapatero publicly broached the subject of Ceuta or Melilla, two enclaves under Spanish rule for more than five hundred years. (Note: Morocco views these two areas, in addition to the Western Sahara, as a part of its territory. In November 2007, the GOM recalled its Ambassador to Spain after the Spanish King, Juan Carlos, made his first official visit to the disputed region (reftel). There were no reports of protests or demonstrations during Zapatero's visit. End Note.) MAKING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE 7. (U) Prime Minister Zapatero announced that several Spanish ministerial delegations would visit to prepare for the next Moroccan-Spanish High Level Committee Meeting that will convene in Madrid in November. The November meeting is expected to focus on the key issues of immigration, the RABAT 00000681 002 OF 002 economy, and culture. It will be chaired jointly by Prime Ministers, El Fassi and Zapatero. The first of the promised visits, by Spanish Interior Minister Rubalcaba, took place July 16 and produced a number of technical understandings on immigration and security. 8. (C) Youssef Amrani, Director General of Bilateral Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Spanish Embassy DCM both confirmed to PolCouns that the meeting between the King and PM Zapatero was "extremely good". Spanish diplomats also told us Zapatero proposed to Mohammad VI mediation to help improve the Moroccan/Algerian relationship. However, Mohammad VI responded that, "the time was not right". COMMENT 9.(SBU) The Spanish/Moroccan relationship remains strong and positive. The absence of public discussion by the King or the hotly nationalist El Fassi of the Spanish enclaves is a sign of the strength of the relationship. Morocco and Spain have transcended the enclaves issue to concentrate on their rapidly growing economic ties, managing immigration (including keeping Sub Saharans out of Spain) and their vital shared interest in counterterrorism cooperation. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley |
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